Passat trims are revised and new 1.8-liter engine replaces 2.5-liter unit, starting in the SEL model

R-Line added to the Tiguan range

Touareg R-Line joins the lineup

All VW models are now E15 capable

After three years of incredible growth and a slew of new product introductions, 2013 is a year of consolidation for Volkswagen of America. Nevertheless, it’s also a year in which some very important product changes will occur. Chief among these for the 2014 model year is the introduction of the EA888 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder TSI® engine, which will gradually replace the 2.5-liter five-cylinder naturally aspirated powerplant fitted to the Jetta, Beetle, and Passat models. This new engine produces 170 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque: this is the same power as the 2.5, but the torque is improved by seven lb-ft, delivered much lower in the rev range.

Volkswagen pioneered the use of small-displacement turbocharged and DI engines in the U.S. market: the implementation of the new EA888 gasoline unit will help ensure that more than 90 percent of the cars sold by Volkswagen in the U.S. have these highly efficient powerplants. The engine is built in a new, state-of-the-art factory in Silao, Mexico that is part of Volkswagen’s ongoing $5 billion investment in the North American market.

The new TSI engine will be fitted to the Jetta range and the Passat SEL initially, to be followed by the rest of the Passat lineup and the Beetle later in the model year. The new engine is expected to offer significant highway fuel mileage gains over the 2.5-liter unit.

The popular Beetle range has a number of new additions for 2014. The most significant is the introduction of the retro-themed GSR (German for “Yellow Black Racer”) that will be sold as a limited-edition model. Because the base Beetle now has a turbocharged engine, the previous Turbo models have been re-branded with the R-Line® moniker.

The R-Line range itself has been extended to five vehicles. The Beetle Convertible R-Line, Touareg R-Line, and Tiguan R-Line all go on sale this fall, joining the existing Beetle Coupe R-Line and the CC R-Line.

Volkswagen will introduce its VW Car-Net™ connected services this fall as part of the 2014 model lineup. Available on Beetle, Beetle Convertible, CC, Eos, Jetta, Passat, and Tiguan models, VW Car-Net offers a wealth of security and convenience features, including crash notification, roadside assistance, and stolen vehicle location assistance. In addition, VW Car-Net adds: remote vehicle access; boundary and speed alerts; a vehicle health report; and an enhanced POI service on vehicles equipped with a navigation system. Most of the features can be administered through a handy smartphone app.

Finally, all Volkswagen models are E15 capable, across all powertrains for 2014.

CARS

Beetle

Beetle GSR goes on sale as a limited-edition model

Base 2.5-liter engine is replaced by 170-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged four cylinder during the 2014 model year

Highway fuel economy predicted by manufacturer to improve by up to 17 percent with the 1.8-liter engine

Beetle Turbo lineup now becomes the Beetle R-Line

VW Car-Net connectivity becomes available

Rearview camera fitted to top-of-the-line models (late availability)

Then as now, the GSR features a unique interior with a yellow/black theme, sport seats, and a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel. The black-trimmed leather seating surfaces and high-grip leather-wrapped steering wheel both have contrasting yellow stitching. Other interior changes include a GSR shift lever, a leather-wrapped handbrake, and black floormats with contrasting yellow embroidery. A badge on the steering wheel is marked with the special-edition number (1 through 3500) to emphasize the uniqueness of the car.

The base Beetle’s 2.5-liter engine will be phased out later in the 2014 model year and replaced by a new, locally sourced, turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. This will produce 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and is expected to offer highly competitive fuel economy. Electro-mechanical power steering replaces the 2.5’s hydraulic setup.

The Beetle Turbo lineup is renamed as the R-Line for 2014, adding aggressively styled bumpers front and rear as well as R-Line exterior badging and R-Line sill kickplates. The top R-Line Sunroof and Sound with Navigation also features unique 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRLs, and leather seating surfaces; black interiors also get an R-Line badge on the steering wheel and a “metallic finish” dash pad. All Beetle R-Line models and the GSR are fitted with the latest version of the EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which makes 210hp.

Among other changes to the Beetle, the TDI® with Sunroof model is removed from the lineup, while a rearview camera will be available on the Sunroof, Sound, and Navigation trim levels on the Beetle, Beetle TDI Clean Diesel, and Beetle R-Line models.

Beetle Convertible

Beetle receives 170-horsepower turbocharged 1.8-liter engine in place of 2.5-liter unit partway through 2014 model year

Like the Beetle Coupe, the Turbo Convertible range is renamed the R-Line. The topline R-Line with Sound and Navigation has additional R-Line-specific features, such as unique 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRLs, and leather seating surfaces: black interiors add an R-Line badge on the steering wheel and a “metallic finish” dash pad.

The base 2.5-liter engine will be phased out in favor of a 1.8-liter TSI unit that is expected to offer significantly better highway and overall fuel economy figures. Finally, the topline trim in each engine configuration—Beetle Convertible, Beetle TDI Convertible, and Beetle R-Line Convertible—will feature a rearview camera later in the model year.

The best-selling model in Volkswagen’s lineup receives a number of key enhancements for 2014, including powertrain, chassis, and technology updates.

The SE model will add a new 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder engine, electro-mechanical power steering, a multilink independent rear suspension, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio, and power reclining front seats. The SE with Connectivity trim adds the option of VW Car-Net connected services, while the SE with Connectivity and Sunroof adds Keyless access with push-button start.

The SEL trim is now available with an automatic transmission only. It also offers VW Car-Net, a rearview camera, the RNS 315 navigation system, and the Fender® Premium Audio System.

Similar to the 1.8-liter gasoline trims, all TDI Clean Diesel models will offer VW Car-Net, a relocated MDI cable (now in the center console), and new independent rear suspension. TDI Premium and Premium and Navigation trims also get a rearview camera. The performance-driven Jetta GLI model now has the relocated MDI cable and the option of VW Car-Net, as well as the latest 210-hp version of the EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.

Volkswagen’s first hybrid compact, the Jetta Hybrid, was launched late last year. For 2014, updates are minimal and include the availability of VW Car-Net and the addition of a new high-resolution color MFI display in the instrument cluster.

Jetta SportWagen
For 2014, the Jetta SportWagen incorporates only minor changes over the 2013 models.

All models receive LED license-plate lights

TDI trims gain a rearview camera

Passat
For 2014, the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine will be replaced by a 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder engine that makes 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Along with the engine comes a change from hydraulic to electro-mechanical power steering. Other changes include:

Wolfsburg Edition carries over from 2013; now includes leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake

VW Car-Net connectivity system available on Wolfsburg and higher trims

Two-tone seats available on all SE trims

Rearview camera introduced on SE and higher trims

Keyless access with push-button start and new “Bristol” 18-inch wheels available on select SE trims.

A Sport trim will be introduced later this year. Details will be released closer to launch

MDI now standard on Wolfsburg Edition and higher trims

MINIVAN, SUVs

Routan
For 2014, the Routan carries over unchanged as a fleet model only.

Overall, there is added value across the Tiguan lineup with enhanced SE and SEL models, as well as a new SE with Appearance trim line. The SE adds heated seats, leatherette seating surfaces, and an MDI with iPod® adapter; the SE with Appearance’s added features include Keyless access with push-button start and a rearview camera; and the SEL adds the Fender Premium Audio System.

Touareg

R-Line model features special interior and exterior styling, sport suspension

Rear hatch now has “Easy Open” feature on all models except Sport and R-Line

Area-view camera feature on Executive and Hybrid models

LED taillights on the Executive models

Keyless access with push-button start now fitted to more than 90 percent of Touareg models

Trailer hitch now standard on all Touareg models except V6 Sport and R-Line

The most important addition to the Touareg lineup for the 2014 model year is the R-Line, which is based on the Lux trim for V6 and TDI Clean Diesel models. This model adds a sport suspension, 20-inch “Mallory” aluminum-alloy wheels, and a bevy of exterior and interior enhancements. On the outside, the R-Line model receives: R-Line badging; LED taillights; sportier front and rear bumpers; and side skirts. Inside, the R-Line gets brushed aluminum trim, stainless-steel pedals, a black headliner, an R-badged steering wheel, and unique sill kickplates.

Sport with Navigation and Lux models receive Keyless access with push-button start, while all models except the R-Line and Sport have a new “Easy Open” motion-activated trunk opening feature, which is a real boon to owners who have their hands full and want to access the cargo area.

Features and technical data apply to models offered in the USA. They may differ in other countries.

Available EPA fuel economy estimates are provided and identified as such. All other fuel economy values are forecast manufacturer estimates for the USA; EPA estimates for those models were not available at time of release. Individual mileage will vary and depends on several factors including driving habits and vehicle condition.

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